‘Abdu’l-Bahá in New York Centenary of His Visit to America By Hussein Ahdieh and Hillary Chapman Cover: Childe Hassam: Flags on the Waldorf, 1916 Copyright © 2012 by Hussein Ahdieh. All Rights Reserved. Preface Of all the historical, religious and cultural events in the history of the United States, the arrival of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912 was, for his devotees, the most important event of all. Many people--from all parts of society--had the honor to meet him, attend his talks, benefit from his wisdom and witness his benevolence and humility. For many of these individuals, their encounter with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was life-altering: he touched the depths of their souls and awakened them spiritually. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was, according to his devotees, the ‘Mystery of God’, the expounder and the Center of the Covenant of a new Faith, the Bahá’í Faith, inaugurated by his father, Bahá’u’lláh who announced that the dawn of a unique chapter in the religious history of the world had broken. “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch”, announced Bahá’u’lláh to all nations and the whole mankind, particularly to those who were steeped in their own prejudices and bigotry. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to America to expound on the precepts of the new Faith inaugurated by his father. He came here to show us by the force of example, the true meaning of being a Bahá’í: humility, steadfastness, equity and kindness toward everybody regardless of his race, creed and place of birth. He showed people how to be a true follower of Bahá’u’lláh. This book recounts his days in the city of New York. The authors hope that this account will help the reader to: 1) Gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual concepts and social principles of the Bahá’í Faith as explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 2) Understand about the social context of the people of New York whom ‘Abdu’l- Bahá met and their beliefs and concerns, 3) Learn about the lives of early Bahá’ís, their personal stories, beliefs and aspirations, the struggles and successes they had in building communities, and the development of their understanding of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. The authors hope that this re-telling of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s days in New York City will be both inspiring and illuminating and bring the reader closer to this unique figure in spiritual history whose life will serve as a model of the true spiritual and ethical life for centuries to come. The authors deeply appreciates the invaluable assistance in preparing this book of many friends including Dr. Tahereh Ahdieh, Dr. Iraj Ayman, Anita Chapman, Bob Harris, Robert Hanevold, Kathryn Jewett Hogenson, Tatiana Azad Jordan, Rosann Velnich, Dr. Iraj Misaghi, Prof. Michael L. Penn, Dr. Anne Perry, Mike Relph, Pieter Ruiter, Dr. Hooshmand Shehberadaran, Mouhebat Soubhani, Dr. Robert Stockman, Prof. Christopher White. Hussein Ahdieh, Hillary Chapman Drawing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Khalil Gibran My name is `Abdu'l-Bahá [literally, Servant of Baha]. My qualification is `Abdu'l Bahá. My reality is `Abdu'l-Bahá. My praise is `Abdu'l-Bahá. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection [Bahá'u'lláh] is my glorious and refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion… No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except `Abdu'l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory.” Table of Contents Chapter 1: The Arrival ~ The Ansonia Hotel ........................................ 1 Chapter 2: First Days ~ In the Homes of the Disciples ....................... 5 Chapter 3: Church of the Ascension ~ Bahá'u'lláh's Message ........... 14 Chapter 4: The Bowery Mission ~ Wealth and Poverty ..................... 21 Chapter 5: Groundwork for Peace ~ Lake Mohonk ........................... 36 Chapter 6: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Teacher, Sage and Pastor ............................ 47 Chapter 7: “I am the Covenant” ............................................................. 57 Chapter 8: The Unity Feast ~ New Jersey ............................................ 66 Chapter 9: Last Days ~ Farewell to America ....................................... 74 Endnotes .................................................................................................... 86 Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká Chapter 1: The Arrival ~ The Ansonia Hotel Out on the plain of ‘Akká in Palestine, Bahá’u’lláh, who claimed to be Presence of God on earth, the Manifestation of God for this Day, ascended a few hours after midnight on May 29, 1892. That same day, His body was buried next to the mansion at Bahji where He lived His last years. Nine days later, in front of witnesses and a large group of Bahá’ís, Bahá’u’lláh’s Will and Testament, the Book of the Covenant, was read aloud for the first time. The Book of the Covenant instructed all the believers--to “turn, one and all, unto the Most Great Branch”. As everyone knew, this title applied to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh’s beloved son. For the first time in recorded history, the Manifestation of God had left behind an explicit Will and Testament designating a successor. Bahá’u’lláh had placed in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the unique authority to interpret the Sacred Texts. All Bahá’ís would now turn to him alone as their source of authority. So it was that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became the living embodiment of the Covenant which Bahá’u’lláh had established with His followers. Guidance and consolation flowed out from him. He sent teachers to carry the Glad Tidings to other parts of the world including the United States. He fed the poor and cared for the sick. In 1909, the Sultan of the Ottoman Turks, who ruled Palestine, was overthrown. ‘Abdu’l- Bahá, who had been a prisoner and an exile almost his entire life, was now free to leave. When American believers learned the news that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could now travel, they implored him to come to the United States. But they had struggled to be unified among themselves. Chapter 1: The Arrival ~ The Ansonia Hotel 1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote back to them: “[…] In view of the differences among the friends and the lack of unity […] how can 'Abdu'l-Bahá hasten to those parts? […] If the friends […] long for the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá they must immediately remove from their midst differences of opinion and be engaged in the practice of infinite love and unity […] Under such a condition, how can they arise to guide the people of the world and establish union and harmony between the nations of the earth? […] Verily, verily, I say unto you, were it not for this difference amongst you, the inhabitants of America in all those regions would have, by now, been attracted to the Kingdom of God, and would have constituted themselves your helpers and assisters […] I beg of God to confirm you in union and concord that you may become the cause of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity.”1 By 1912, the time had come to make the long and arduous journey to the United States despite the physical frailty of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá caused by years of harsh living conditions as an exile and a prisoner and of managing a large extended family and a group of followers in exile. On March 25th, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá boarded the large steamer, the S.S. Cedric, bound for the West. On March 30th, after the Cedric passed the Rock of Gibraltar into the open Atlantic, ‘Abdu’l- Bahá remarked: “In past ages crossing the ocean was not as easy as it is now. Up to the present time no one has traveled, with a purpose like ours, from Persia to America. Some have made the journey but it was for their personal gain or for trivial motives. Ours may be said to be the first voyage of Easterners to America. I have strong hopes of divine assistance - that He will open the doors of victory and conquest on all sides. Today, all the nations of the world are vanquished, and victory and glory revolve around the servants of the Blessed Perfection. All aims will come to naught except this mighty aim. Hardship and debasement in this path are, therefore, comfort and honor, and affliction a blessing.”2 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá blessed the children on board. Passengers sought him out. Their admiration for him grew with each day; soon, they took their hats off as they passed him on deck. He taught anyone who would listen about Bahá’u’lláh and the needs of the day. He received telegrams from Bahá’í groups all over the States. The Cedric crossed the ocean which had calmed down, day by day approaching the continent: “I am going to America at the invitation of peace congresses, as the fundamental principles of this Cause are universal peace, the oneness of the world of humanity and the equality of the rights of men. As this age is the age of lights and the century Chapter 1: The Arrival ~ The Ansonia Hotel 2 of mysteries, this lofty purpose is sure to be universally acknowledged and this Most Mighty Cause is certain to embrace the East and the West.”3 The huge boat carrying the Master soon came into view: “We shall be at sea for another day. Steam power is truly a wonderful thing. If there were no such power, how would the vast oceans have been crossed? What wonderful means God has supplied and what confirmations the Blessed Beauty has conferred. Otherwise, how could we be here? What have we in common with these places?”4 In the evening of April 10th, the large black hull of the S.S.